"Youth lacks the experience to see through the world’s affairs, and shallow talent is insufficient to discuss the matters of the realm." Jiang Wang waved his hand: "What I have seen and heard is still too narrow. Master Commander asks me now, but I don’t know how to answer. Let us wait until I can see the true reality of the world before discussing such great matters."

The reason he came to South Xia so soon after returning to Linzi was partly to avoid the Court’s small-scale deliberations concerning the Taixu Scroll. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

During his mission to the grasslands, Xu Zeming of the Taixu Sect had intercepted him halfway, asking him to support the creation of the Taixu Scroll within the Taixu Illusion Realm.

Internally, he did not agree, but he also could not confirm whether his thoughts on the matter were right or wrong.

On the one hand, the creation of the Taixu Scroll posed the risk of the Taixu Sect imposing its will. On the other hand, the greatness of the Taixu Illusion Realm was undeniable, and the creation of the Taixu Scroll could undoubtedly strengthen the construction of the Taixu Illusion Realm and accelerate its evolution.

The stronger one is, the more they understand to revere this world.

Therefore, on such grand matters, he opted for silence. Perhaps those truly great figures would have their responses that transcend time.

"Marquis Wu’an is too humble," Su Guanying smiled and said, "This successful completion of the Southern Border official exams is all due to Marquis Wu’an’s thunderous means. The secret riders patrolled, and all the spirits and monsters were terrified. If your talents are shallow, then wouldn’t this Governor’s Mansion be full of useless people?"

Jiang Wang slightly bowed: "It’s just killing a few people, nothing much."

To complete the task of the Southern Border official exams and ensure the exams were conducted in a fair atmosphere, Jiang Wang personally formed a contingent of two thousand secret riders, all of whom were former associates who followed him in the Qi Xia War.

Upon issuing the mobilization order, many responded. Those selected were the best among the best, forming this unit. This mounted army answered only to him, without ties to the Nanxia Governor’s Mansion.

As the Daqi Marquis Wu’an, he also had the qualification to open a mansion and build a guard force. Forming a guard unit with fewer than ten thousand people was in line with court regulations and required no additional application.

Taking advantage of supervising the exams, he also established his base in Xia Territory.

Of course, maintaining such a contingent of secret riders was a significant expense, and the current income from Chitan Fiefdom was far from sufficient to support it.

Jiang Wang, under the pretext of supervising the exams, requested a large allocation of resources from the Nanxia Governor’s Mansion. Once the exams were over, he would have to pay to maintain them himself.

However, by then, Dugu Xiao’s management of the fiefdom should be on track. It would be just right to incorporate the business of De Sheng Trading Company into Xia Territory... maintaining soldiers and horses under ten thousand in number wouldn’t be much of an issue.

Notably, after careful consideration, Xue Rushi chose to resign from his post as Magistrate Feng Li and abandon the official exams, dedicating himself to Jiang Wang’s command and leading this contingent of secret riders.

At the time, they were called the "Old Mountain Iron Cavalry."

Guards donned in red robes, one hundred per unit, with one unit monitoring one prefecture. The secret riders spread out, patrolling the examination venues of various cities, and any cheating or lax supervision was met with severe punishment.

Jiang Wang himself even personally carried a sword, patrolling various prefectures, and executed several individuals who relied on their connections—regardless of whether they were from the Governor’s Mansion or the Military Governor’s Office, none were spared.

In the first large-scale official exams after Xia Territory’s submission, there might have been individuals the secret riders couldn’t resolve, but for Jiang Wang, there were none he couldn’t solve.

His tough stance and swift actions almost eradicated misconduct during the exams.

The fairness of the Southern Border official exams had long-term benefits for both Su Guanying and Shi Mingcheng, so they cooperated significantly. Even if their subordinates were dealt with by Jiang Wang like chickens and dogs, regardless of their internal feelings, they outwardly applauded.

"Killing is not a skill. Knowing when to kill and whom to kill is the rare skill."

At this moment, Shi Mingcheng watched the candidates below the platform writing furiously, his gaze profoundly deep: "Chen Zhisheng, the only son of Magistrate Chen Tingqian of Jiangyong, disappeared five days ago, and there’s been no news since. Marquis Wu’an, are you aware of this?"